OPT Motion Designer Jobs
Motion Designer jobs on OPT are available across advertising agencies, streaming platforms, tech companies, and in-house creative teams. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT work authorization, provided your degree is in motion graphics, animation, visual communication, or a related design field. STEM OPT extension doesn't apply to this role.
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About Saylor
Saylor is an entertainment-led creative agency built for brands that want to earn attention, not interrupt it. Founded by former Netflix and Disney marketers, we exist at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and strategy, bringing the sensibility of entertainment to brands ready to act less like advertisers and more like creators.
Saylor exists to help brands become the show - not the ad break. We watched agencies keep making ads in a world where people want to be entertained. We started Saylor to change that: To help brands act like creators, not corporations. To think like publishers, not advertisers. To stop chasing attention, and start earning it.
We’re a tight‐knit crew who collaborate without ego, stay curious, and always show up for one another. We foster a supportive space where diverse perspectives are celebrated, hierarchy never blocks great ideas, and everyone is empowered to jump in, solve problems, and push creative boundaries together.
Position Overview
Saylor seeks a sharp, energetic Motion Designer to execute high-impact creative projects with a focus on social-first storytelling. In this role, you will create dynamic motion content that elevates existing assets and brings polish to the brand’s visual system. You will work closely with Saylor’s Art Director to manage the day-to-day needs of specific agency clients, translating marketing objectives into eye-catching, platform-native formats.
The Motion Designer will work across social platforms, art styles, and a diverse set of client needs. We are looking for a passionate creator who can communicate effectively and foster a positive work environment. The ideal candidate will have exceptional social/editorial instincts, a strong sense of trending formats, and the ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
About You
You are a visionary who is just as comfortable in the trenches of execution as you are leading a high-level pitch. You have a deep respect for legacy brands and possess the unique ability to honor their history while evolving their visual language for a social-first world. You’re a natural leader who can look at a content library and see a thousand new ways to make them feel premium and fresh. You thrive on the "why" behind the design, ensuring every visual choice is rooted in strategy and brand identity.
You are a champion of radical collaboration, finding joy in uplifting the ideas of your teammates and mentoring talent. Flexibility and a positive attitude come naturally to you, and you create open and symbiotic environments conducive to generating ideas without ego. You feel secure talking with clients about their vision and offering creative solutions that make them want to come back for more best-in-class campaigns.
Location and Salary
This is an hourly, contracted role with an hourly range of $35-$75, depending on experience. You can expect to work 30 hours per week. This contract will end at the end of December 2026, with the possibility of extension into 2027. The ability to come into our Echo Park (Los Angeles) office twice weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Execute the motion design process from concept to completion in tandem with the Art Director.
- Create dynamic, social-first motion content that breathes new life into existing brand assets.
- Develop and implement visual elements across various social media platforms.
- Translate marketing objectives into clear, eye-catching creative executions.
- Stay on the pulse of industry trends and integrate new motion technologies and platform-native formats into your workflow.
- Collaborate with cross-functional team members to ensure all materials are visually engaging and on-brand.
- Participate in creative brainstorms and contribute fresh, trending references to uplevel the team’s creative acumen.
- Work closely with the Social Art Director to verify that design specifications are met and client visions are brought to life with high creative standards.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception through final delivery.
- Maintain organized project files and templates to facilitate efficient collaboration with other editors and designers.
Qualifications
- 2-4 years of motion design experience within a creative agency or fast-paced, high-volume studio environment.
- High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
- Experience with 3D programs (Cinema 4D, Blender, etc.) is highly preferred.
- Strong portfolio showcasing a broad range of creative projects: 2D/3D motion graphics, typography, and social-first video formats.
- Exceptional eye for visual composition, branding, color theory, and motion best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to create "platform-native" content that feels at home on TikTok, Reels, and beyond.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and team collaboration skills.
- Ability to concept and execute quickly without sacrificing visual polish.
- Effective time management skills and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Honed ability to give and receive constructive criticism to ensure the best possible creative output.
- Deep understanding of how audiences consume social media video and motion content in the current cultural climate.
Saylor is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Motion Designer
Lead with your degree field upfront
Motion Designer roles qualify for OPT when your degree is in animation, graphic design, or visual communication. State your degree field clearly in your resume summary so hiring managers immediately understand your work authorization is tied to a relevant specialty occupation.
Target studios with established international hiring
Larger production studios, streaming platforms, and advertising agencies have HR teams experienced with OPT paperwork. Smaller freelance-focused shops often lack the infrastructure to handle work authorization documentation, making them a riskier target when your OPT timeline is limited.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates professional-level output
Employers weighing OPT sponsorship risk need confidence you're ready to contribute immediately. A reel showing broadcast-quality motion work, client projects, or internship deliverables reduces hesitation far more effectively than academic or personal projects alone.
Clarify your OPT end date before interviews progress
Motion Designer roles often have long hiring pipelines. Know your exact OPT expiration and 60-day grace period dates. Raising this early prevents late-stage surprises and signals professionalism, giving employers time to prepare any necessary documentation.
Emphasize software fluency employers actually care about
Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Creative Suite signals readiness without ramp-up time. Employers sponsoring OPT workers want immediate productivity, so listing specific tools and the project types you've used them for strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Research which employers have sponsored OPT or H-1B before
Companies that have previously sponsored work visas are far more likely to do it again. Use Migrate Mate to filter Motion Designer roles by OPT sponsorship history, so you're spending your application energy on employers already comfortable with the process.
Motion Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Motion Designer jobs qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?
Yes, Motion Designer roles generally qualify for F-1 OPT provided your degree is in a directly related field such as motion graphics, animation, graphic design, or visual communication. USCIS evaluates whether the job requires a degree in a specific specialty, and most professional Motion Designer positions at agencies or studios meet that standard.
Am I eligible for a STEM OPT extension as a Motion Designer?
Most Motion Designer roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because animation and graphic design degrees are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. If your degree is in a STEM-classified field such as computer science or digital media technology, check with your DSO whether your specific CIP code qualifies before assuming eligibility.
How do I explain my OPT status to a Motion Design employer who has never hired international students before?
Keep it simple: explain that OPT is a federal work authorization program for F-1 graduates that permits full-time employment in your field of study, requires no employer sponsorship to begin, and involves minimal paperwork from their side. Providing a one-page OPT overview document for HR and noting your authorized period dates helps employers who are unfamiliar with the process feel more comfortable moving forward.
Where can I find Motion Designer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Motion Designer roles specifically filtered for OPT-eligible candidates, so you're not wasting time on postings that require permanent work authorization. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you focus on employers with a demonstrated history of hiring international students, which significantly improves your chances of converting an offer into a visa sponsorship pathway later.
Can I work as a freelance Motion Designer on OPT?
Yes, self-employment is permitted under standard OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. You would need to establish a legitimate business entity. However, freelance work does not count toward accruing experience for STEM OPT extension purposes, and you must track your employment carefully to avoid exceeding the 90-day unemployment limit during your OPT period.